Town marks 27th ‘Pabirik’ in honor of Inay Candi
- Bicolmail Web Admin
- Feb 7
- 2 min read
By Rhaydz B. Barcia
PARACALE, Camarines Norte --- The people of Paracale, a gold-rich town in Camarines Norte, commemorated the 27th Pabirik Festival in honor of Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, fondly called Inay Candi, the town’s patroness for over 400 years.
The festival, named after the Pabirik—a traditional round wooden pan used for gold panning—celebrates the town’s deep-rooted history in small-scale mining.
Beyond its religious significance, the event highlights the craftsmanship and resilience of Paracaleños, known for their artistry in gold jewelry making.
Mayor Romeo Moreno emphasized that the festival not only honors Paracale’s mining heritage but also showcases the ingenuity of its people.
“The Pabirik Festival recognizes the skills and craftsmanship of Paracaleños, from gold panning to creating exquisite jewelry. More importantly, it is a time for us to renew our devotion to Inay Candi,” he said.
A key feature of the celebration is a jewelry-making competition, where local artisans craft intricate gold pieces using traditional methods. The municipal hall houses a mini-museum displaying these works, underscoring the town’s identity as the Ginintuan Bayan (Golden Town) of Bicol.
The festival’s highlight was the fluvial procession of Nuestra Señora de Candelaria. Leading up to the event, heavy rains and rough seas raised concerns about the procession’s safety. However, on February 1, as the image was carried toward the Paracale River, the skies cleared, and the waters calmed—an occurrence many locals believe was a sign of Inay Candi’s blessing.
Archbishop Rex Andrew Clement Alarcon officiated the blessing of Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, joined by Fr. Noel Domingo, parish priest of Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Candelaria. The solemn event reinforced the deep faith of the Paracaleños and their enduring devotion to their patroness.
As Paracale marked another year of the Pabirik Festival, the celebration remained a testament to the town’s rich history, unwavering faith, and enduring craftsmanship.
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